Hoilman sets hitting streak record, but Chiefs fall 2-1

Although it came in his first at-bat, Paul Hoilman couldn’t have picked a harder way to extend his hitting streak to a Chiefs’ record 22 games on Thursday in Peoria’s 2-1 loss to the Beloit Snappers.

Hoilman tested the best infield arm in the Midwest League when he hit a chopper behind the third-base bag that Beloit’s Miguel Sano gloved. Hoilman beat Sano’s throw from foul territory by a step for one of the few infield hits for the sturdy first baseman.

Kevin Capie

Although it came in his first at-bat, Paul Hoilman couldn’t have picked a harder way to extend his hitting streak to a Chiefs’ record 22 games on Thursday in Peoria’s 2-1 loss to the Beloit Snappers.

Hoilman tested the best infield arm in the Midwest League when he hit a chopper behind the third-base bag that Beloit’s Miguel Sano gloved. Hoilman beat Sano’s throw from foul territory by a step for one of the few infield hits for the sturdy first baseman.

“Sure, why not?” Hoilman said with a smile when asked if he envisioned extending his streak in such a fashion. “I knew he had a good arm so I was running as hard as I could.”

Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke had one of the best views of the second-inning play from the third-base coach’s box.

“That’s not always the way you draw it up for (Hoilman),” Kopitzke said. “Give him a lot of credit, Sano is a really good third baseman and he hustled down the line.”

Hoilman passed former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Kerry Robinson, and infielder Jack Wilson, now with the Atlanta Braves. Each had 21-game streaks, Robinson in 1996 and Wilson in 1999.

“It’s good company to be in,” Hoilman said. “I definitely want to go where those guys have gone. It’s pretty special.”

Hoilman helped tie the game at 1 in the fourth with a one-out triple to the junction of the left- and center-field walls. Taylor Davis drove Hoilman in with a sacrifice fly.

The triple showed an adjustment Hoilman made after hitting just .136 entering the first game of the streak on April 14. After Wednesday’s game, Hoilman is among the league leaders with a .310 average.

“We had to find out what was the best set-up in order for him to cut his strikeouts and have a better approach to the middle of the field,” Chiefs hitting coach Barbaro Garbey said. “That was a problem he had in spring training and the start of the year.”

The Chiefs wasted another strong outing by pitcher Kyler Burke, who has recorded quality starts of at least six innings and three runs or fewer in all three of his starts this season, but is 0-2 with a no-decision as a starter.

Burke battled in the third to limit Beloit to just one run after the Snappers had runners on first and third with one out and the run already in. Burke then struck out the last two batters of the inning.

“That’s kind of been his M.O.,” Kopitzke said. “He might give up a couple of hits, but he doesn’t fold.”

In the seventh, Beloit loaded the bases on Burke before a sacrifice fly chased him from the game. Austin Reed retired the next two batters with just two pitches.

“Burkie gave us a great outing,” Hoilman said. “We had chances and couldn’t get it done with guys on base.”

INSIDE PITCHES: The Midwest League record hitting streak is 35 set by Waterloo’s Frank Toups in 1977. ... RHP Bryce Shafer was transferred to extended spring training but he remains with the team. ... RHP Ben Wells is eligible to come off the 7-day disabled list on Thursday.

Kevin Capie can be reached at 686-3214 or kcapie@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinCapie.